Safety

Toyota Recalling Prius Hybrids for Software Update

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. announced plans to recall approximately 700,000 2010-2014 model-year Prius vehicles to update the motor/generator control ECU and hybrid control ECU software. In addition, the automaker will recall about 300,000 2012 model-year RAV4, 2012-2013 MY Tacoma and 2012-2013 MY Lexus RX 350 vehicles to update their skid control ECU software.

Toyota said it has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the recall plans.

In the Prius vehicles, the software fix is needed because current settings could result in high thermal stress in certain transistors, potentially causing them to become damaged, Toyota said. If this happens, various warning lights illuminate and the vehicle enters a failsafe mode. In rare circumstances, the car stalls after its hybrid system shuts down.

The software fix on the RAV4, Tacoma and Lexus RX 350 vehicles will address an electronic circuit condition that can cause the vehicle stability control, anti-lock brake and traction control functions to intermittently turn off, Toyota said. But if these systems shut down, standard braking operation remains fully functional.

Toyota said it has received no reports of accidents or injuries associated with either condition.

As part of these recalls, owners of affected vehicles will receive the software update free of charge. They will be notified by first-class mail when the software updates are available at their dealers.

For more information, vehicle owners can visit www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

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